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COLUMBUS—The Ohio Senate passed legislation today investing $7.8 billion to fund the construction, maintenance and safety of the state's transportation system. The Ohio Department of Transportation estimates that the budget will support and create tens of thousands of jobs over the next two years.

Passed by the Senate with unanimous, bipartisan support, House Bill 26 provides funding for the Ohio Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Public Works Commission and Development Services Agency.

Among the bill's provisions included in the Senate-passed version:

Additional Funding to Local Governments: Allocates an additional $48 million in funding over the biennium from the existing motor fuel tax revenue to counties and municipalities for the improvement of local roads and bridges. This is above the $124 million proposed by the Administration.

Maintaining Ohio's Bridges: Reauthorizes the Ohio Bridge Partnership Program which is a construction initiative designed to provide resources for county bridge projects.

Bringing Business Back to Ohio: Reduces the registration fee for high-volume, commercial vehicle fleets, encouraging this business to stay in Ohio, resulting in more job opportunities and economic development in Ohio's trucking and commercial vehicle industry. It also modernizes and streamlines the current registration process.

Enhanced Consumer Protections: Requires any entity other than the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to use a prominent disclaimer about fees charged for services that are already provided by authorized local registrars and the state-provided website.

Increasing Efficiency: Allows townships and municipal corporations to enter into agreements to share services as it relates to maintenance, repair and the improvement of their roads by creating joint road districts.

More Funding for Public Transit: At least $33 million per year will be invested in public transit options across the state. The bill also directs an additional $15 million from an existing emissions settlement towards public transit vehicles powered by clean energy.

House Bill 26 now proceeds to the House of Representatives for concurrence.

COLUMBUS—State Senator Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) today announced that the Ohio Legislative Service Commission is accepting applications through April 1, 2018 for the 2019 Legislative and Telecommunications Fellowship Program. The Commission will hire 24 fellows to serve in the Ohio General Assembly for the 2019 calendar year.

COLUMBUS—State Senator Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) today announced the introduction of the state's Capital Budget, a $2.6 billion investment in Ohio's infrastructure and local community projects.

"I am honored and humbled to receive this award today, and am grateful for the hard work of many coalitions and stakeholders who I have collaborated with on these issues," said Senator Manning. "It takes more than just one person to tackle the challenges Ohio faces, and I am fortunate to work alongside people in our community who are full of passion and caring."